Power unit Cooler Master V1200 Platinum: review and testing

Recently manufacturers of different types of components puzzled on energy efficiency issue. Moreover, the positive results were observed in all areas, especially in the field of processors and graphics cards. It would seem that in such circumstances kilowatt power supplies are doomed to "die out." However, in practice, when building powerful gaming configurations, especially with the possibility of further acceleration of components, these powerful solutions are very important. Also don’t forget about the other computer hardware enthusiasts and overclockers. For them the productive power supplies are a necessity. As a result, the so-called club of kilowatt units which includes solutions for power of 1000 W, continues to exist to present day. And it is regularly updated with new models. One of them we want to dedicate this review, namely to Cooler Master V1200 Platinum. In the pricelists it also can be found under codenamed Cooler Master RSC00-AFBAG1-XX. While Cooler Master V1200 Platinum sounds more clear, so we are going to use this title in the course of the review.

It is unlikely that the company Cooler Master requires a special introduction. Its products, which includes cooling systems, computer cases, power supplies, mice, keyboards and other accessories are known all over the world and appreciate the excellent quality and functionality. Therefore, we note only that Cooler Master V1200 Platinum belongs to the lineup of Cooler Master V and is its flagship.

Power supply Cooler Master V1200 Platinum comes in cardboard box which provides protection against shocks and possible mechanical damages. Its design allows you to accurately determine a model of a series of devices for enthusiasts (Cooler Master V). Traditionally on the face is the image of the power supply, as well as main features, energy efficiency class and the warranty period, which amounts to 7 years. Agree, this is an impressive figure. But we are not talking about a 500W. Model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is designed for 1200 W.

Let's briefly go over the next features:

80 PLUS Platinum - power supply unit has a very high level of efficiency, which corresponds to the class of efficiency energy 80 PLUS Platinum;

100% Japanese Capacitors – are used only high-quality Japanese capacitors;

Zero dBA Fanless mode Silent Operation - at low loads cooling system works in passive mode (the fan is not spinning), whereby the power supply does not produce any sound.

Impressive, isn’t it?

More information can be found on the reverse side of the box. In particular, it contains the connector configuration and benefits of different technologies. Special attention is given to hybrid cooling system.

The main difference the hybrid cooling system from a standard is that, before reaching a certain temperature the fan does not rotate, and then its rotational speed of the blades is determined by the heating level of components and the load. That is at low loads (in this case up to 25% of the nominal value) Cooler Master V1200 Platinum works absolutely silent, and only after overcoming this mark the fan will start. Company Cooler Master was not the first company who thought of such a decision, but its presence on the power supply of course is pleased. Incidentally, the same technology, only in slightly modified form, has already started to be used extensively in other parts. For example, during testing of graphics cards ASUS GeForce GTX 970 STRIX DirectCU II OC and ASUS GeForce GTX 980 STRIX OC it has demonstrated only the best results. As a result, it will be possible to build a very powerful configuration, which at low loads will run much quieter than a standard PC, inferior to it in the performance by several times.

But let's stop the theoretical part of the question and move on to the practical side. Firstly let’s look at a set of delivery of model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum.

All components are packed in different bags and boxes. Even the power supply is in a separate cloth bags with the logo of the company.

Actually, the package is quite rich and includes everything you need for the installation and connection of the device, namely:

AC power cord;

mounting screws;

modular cables in a special bag;

ten clamps to secure the wires;

remote mode switch of the cooling system;

manual.

Set of modular cables is not shown in the photo, and we will describe it little bit later.

Remote mode switch of the cooling system is represented by a separate button, which is built into the plug slot for expansion cards and connected to the power supply via a cable. It is quite long, so if you need the switch can be taken out of the computer case or open stand.

In position «Hybrid» fan will operate according to the scheme described above. In mode «Auto» it begins to rotate immediately after starting the PC, that is, even at minimum load. In other words, the user can determine which option is more preferable. For example, the mode «Auto» will be useful if the power supply is certainly operated in an environment with high temperature.Design

The first thing that catches your eye when you look at the model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is increase size. The size of a conventional power supply unit is 160 x 150 x 86 mm, here it is 190 x 150 x 86 mm. Basically, when installing the device in the computer housing the extra 30 mm in length are unlikely to create any problems. However, most modern system blocks on the bottom panel have a seat for an extra fan. After installing the model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum they will partly overlap modular connectors. This fact should be considered when choosing housing and organization of ventilation inside it.

As for the design of new item, the manufacturer has diversified it with the help of a silver lining and figured lattice, with hidden fan. Although we do not exclude that the traditional "grill" was replaced by the mesh with a mesh honeycomb not only for the sake of a more attractive appearance, but also to reduce aerodynamic noise. At the very least, such an explanation is found in other manufacturers who use the same grille design. Also, the ventilation holes can be found on the front wall with power outlet and the power disabling button. As for the housing building, it is made of thick metal with excellent handling and panels fitting.

The back wall of the housing has connectors for output cables. They all have a modular design, even those that are used to power the motherboard and processor. This technical performance is very useful in the case of connecting a large number of components and installation of hidden wires. All connectors are signed and have a different design. But just in case will specify the purpose of each of them:

18-pin and 10-pin - to power the motherboard;

five 5-pin - to power the periphery;

two 8-pin - for extra CPU power;

six 6-pin - for additional power supply of graphics cards.

In total there are 15 connectors. Frankly, we have not seen such amount in any unit.

In the upper right corner you can find another 2-pin connector that is marked as «Hybrid Fan». It is designed to connect the above-mentioned external mode switches of the cooling system.

Removable cables are made in the form of loops that positively affects their usability. Main power connectors have the following configuration: folding 20+4-pin ATX and two 4+4-pin ATX12V. That is the model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is suitable for dual-processor systems, and for overclocking experiments using extreme cooling systems, such as liquid nitrogen.

However, we were impressed by the number of PCIe connectors in amount of 12 items. And they all have a 6+2-pin versions. Thus, on the basis of the power supply unit you can build the best possible gaming configuration includes 4 video accelerator, combined in mode AMD CrossFireX or NVIDIA SLI. For this purpose it would be enough 8 PCIe slots. However the company Cooler Master has decided to cover the entire range of computer enthusiasts.

As for the other slots, they are a very large number. In addition, the manufacturer has provided different versions of placing them on the cables that will connect the periphery of the best possible way, using a minimum of wires.

Socket type

Quantity

Cable length to socket (connectors), cm

20+4-pin power connector ATX

1

60

4+4-pin power connector ATX12V

2

68

two 6+2- pin PCIe connectors

4

60-70

two 6+2-pin PCIe connectors

2

50-60

three sockets PATA and one FDD

1

45-57-70-82

three sockets PATA

1

40-55-70

three sockets PATA

1

45-57-70

four sockets SATA

3

45-57-70-82

Now let's take a closer look at the technical characteristics of the power supply. Its nominal power is 1200 W. Channel +12V is formed as a single line with a loading capacity of up to 100 A. In other words, if necessary it is possible to "lift" the 100% of the total power. Few solutions can boast such an indicator. Lines +3.3V and +5V have a maximum total power of 125 W and are designed for a load of 25 A each. This will be enough, even if Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is planned to be use as part of the file server.

According energy Efficiency this power supply complies with 80 PLUS Platinum, as indicated by the picture on the label. Let’s recall that the power supplies are standardized by 80 PLUS Platinum, if their efficiency for voltage 230V at loads of 20%, 50% and 100% does not fall below 90%, 94% and 91%, respectively.

Also worth noting is a wide input voltage range (100 – 240V), which eliminates the external voltage regulator in an unstable power supply.

Internal device

The process of dismantling the power supply Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is standard: you need just unscrew the screws securing the top cover. We draw your attention to the presence of a special sticker with the inscription «Warranty void if removed.

For cooling the internal components is used 135mm 7-blade fan Protechnic MGA13512XF-025. It is based on a hydrodynamic bearing, which is designed to greatly reduce noise and increase its service life compared with sleeve counterparts. Besides spinner capable of providing a large air flow that should positively affect the cooling element of power supply.

Fan

Protechnic MGA13512XF-025

Bearing type

hydrodynamic bearing

Supply voltage, V

12

Current, А

0,38

Capacity, W

4,56

Max rotation speed, rpm

2300

Air flow, CFM

115,8

Noise level, dB

Up to 40,8

Dimensions, mm

135 х 135 х 25

To optimize air flow within the housing is attached small transparent plastic plate to the fan.

The model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is based on the platform from the famous OEM-producer Seasonic XP3. This circuitry implements all the most advanced achievements of the company, which are designed to ensure the output not only great performance and power efficiency, but also the minimum level of fluctuations and deviations in the main supply lines. We offer to see how all this is implemented in practice.

At the input of the high-voltage part is EMI-filter and rectifying bridge, consisting of two diode arrays. Organization of the filter does not cause any issues. It is divided into two parts and includes a full set of necessary elements to perform their functions, namely smoothing high-frequency noise emitted by the network power supply. Separately want to note the manufacturer's approach to isolate the filter elements. To cool the input rectifier bridge an aluminum radiator with branched tip is used.

Nearby is the active unit power of factor correction (APFC). PWM controller of APFC is a chip NCP1654, soldered on a separate small board immediately after the chock APFC.

APFC power section consists of a Schottky diode ROHM SCS110AG and three powerful field-effect transistors Infineon 6R125 with a rather low on-resistance (only 0.125 Ohms). For their cooling is provided a separate radiator. Do not forget that Cooler Master V1200 Platinum can work with disabled fan to a certain load, so the power components require good passive cooling.

Behind the module APFC are wired three parallel electrolytic capacitors produced by the Japanese company Hitachi. One of them has a capacity of 390 uF, the other two 330 uF. As a result, the total capacity of the unit is 1050 uF, which is an excellent indicator for the 1200-watt device. Obviously, the quality of the capacitors is at the highest level due to not only Japanese roots, but also an increased operating temperature, which may reach 105°C.

The model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum uses resonant converter with a full bridge. Its keys are the four transistors Infineon 5R199P, operating in pairs and are cooled by a separate radiator. The correct functioning of the unit is provided by the chip CM6901.

The main line +12V voltage is generated by synchronous rectifier, power elements (8 transistors Fairchild FDMS015N04B) are located on the back side of the PCB. In this regard, the platform Seasonic XP3 is a bit like Seasonic KM3. The manufacturer used quite original, but at the same time effective way of cooling.

The transistors are in contact with the power supply lid via a layer of thermally conductive material. As a result the whole body of model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum is a kind of heat diffuser.

Through the tracks on the circuit board the rest of the heat is transferred to the aluminum radiators installed in the low voltage portion. In general, all passive component cooling system deserves only the most flattering words.

Converters of remaining voltages are wired on a separate board. The formation of lines +3.3V and +5V is realized by six transistors Infineon BSC0906NS (three for each channel). Their heating during operation is so small (on-state resistance only 4.5 mOhms), so the blowing of preinstalled fan is quite enough. Control of DC-DC-converters lies on the shoulders of the PWM controller APW7159.

On the reverse side of the card is a part of the modular connectors and other components of converters: two coils and filter capacitors of polymer type (470 uF x 16 V and 560 uF x 6.3 V).

At the output of the 12 V line are installed both solid (330 uF x 16 V), and liquid electrolyte (1000 uF x 16 V) elements. In all cases, their manufacturer is a reputable Japanese company Nippon Chemi-Con, the quality of products which is considered a benchmark in amateur circles.

Connectors subjected to a large load (ATX12V and PCIe) are located directly on the main PCB to minimize the energy loss due to underwater lines.

According to the technical specifications, model Cooler Master V1200 Platinum has a whole range of protection (OVP / UVP / OPP / SCP / OCP / OTP), including protection against overload and overheating. The very same node is based on chip-supervisor Weltrend WT7527V.